The Cabinet has approved the use of over 8 rai of mangrove forest area to proceed with the "Lanta Island Connecting Bridge" project, aiming to solve travel bottlenecks affecting tourism in Krabi while strictly restoring coastal resources.
On 18 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Lalida Perdwittaya, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that the Cabinet exempted three previous resolutions banning the use of mangrove forest areas. This allows the Department of Rural Roads to utilize 8 rai 2 ngan 17.6 square wah of mangrove forest for the Lanta Island Connecting Bridge project connecting Ko Klang and Ko Lanta Noi subdistricts in Ko Lanta District, Krabi Province, before applying for legal permits and related regulations.
The Deputy Spokesperson stated that the Lanta Island Connecting Bridge is a key southern infrastructure project spanning 2.527 kilometers, connecting travel between Ko Klang and Ko Lanta Noi. The project includes a cable-stayed bridge, cantilever bridge, three U-turn points, two viewing points on the bridge, and connecting roads on both sides, intended to alleviate delays caused by ferries, ease traffic congestion, and improve convenience for residents, tourists, and goods transportation.
The project received in-principle Cabinet approval in 2022 and was allocated a total budget of 1.8 billion baht, consisting of 1.26 billion baht in foreign loans and 540 million baht from the national budget. Preparations related to land and other operations have now been completed.
Ms. Lalida explained that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study found that part of the bridge’s construction route on the Ko Lanta Noi side crosses 8 rai 2 ngan 17.6 square wah of mangrove forest area covered by Cabinet resolutions, out of the project's total area of more than 492 rai. The mangrove area is degraded, making it necessary to seek exemption from the Cabinet resolutions to proceed.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has no objection to the project, requiring the Department of Rural Roads to strictly comply with environmental measures outlined in the EIA report. This includes prevention, mitigation, and monitoring of environmental impacts, as well as replanting mangroves at no less than 20 times the used area and obtaining all necessary legal permits.
The Deputy Spokesperson added that this project will enhance transportation infrastructure in Krabi and Ko Lanta long-term, improving travel convenience, safety, and speed, reducing transport limitations, and supporting tourism and the local economy. Meanwhile, the government remains committed to natural resource conservation by implementing comprehensive measures to care for, restore, and compensate for environmental impacts to ensure sustainable infrastructure development alongside resource preservation.